Manchester United defender Phil Jones will be offered a new deal to stay at Old Trafford as the club look to prevent him leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season. The defender, who joined United for £17million in 2011, is out of contract in July. Jones has enjoyed somewhat of a revival under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, starting six of the Norwegian’s first eight league games in charge. The defender’s Old Trafford career has been blighted by injury but he has remained relatively injury-free this term and the club hope that the 26-year-old has finally got his fitness problems under control.
Jones has made it clear that he hopes to stay at the Theatre of Dreams and United have an insurance option of triggering a 12-month extension clause in his deal to keep him at the club until 2020. However, Metro.co.uk understands the club are willing to offer him a new long-term deal to safeguard their investment in the defender. United know Jones will not be short on offers at home and abroad if he’s available for free this summer and value the defender at around £20m.
Jones, for his part, is keen to stay at the club but recently admitted his future is out of his hands. ‘I’m very settled – I’ve been settled for a long time here,’ Jones told Sky Sports. ‘Ever since I walked through the door I was made to feel very welcome. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time – it’s been great and long may it continue. ‘Of course I do [want to stay] – it’s Man Utd. This club has been part of my life for many years now. I love the club, the fans, the players. ‘We’ll see what happens. It’s not down to me what happens.’ The Red Devils remain determined to sign a centre-back this summer and have made Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly their number one target. Marcos Rojo is expected to leave the club this summer and United will use the funds raised by selling off the Argentine to move for Koulibaly.
